Industry News

BCMTA MEMBERS UPDATE - JUNE 20, 2008

WELCOME NEW BCMTA MEMBERS
BCMTA is pleased to welcome Blue Water Systems Ltd. and Vancouver Island/Vancouver and Fraser Valley Roll-A-Dock as our two newest members. We encourage you to visit their websites to learn more about the services and products they offer.

VANCOUVER MARITIME MUSEUM UPCOMING EVENTS
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a great place to learn about the rich marine history along British Columbia's Coast. With numerous activities planned throughout the year, the VMM provides interactive and entertaining ways to highlight our strong ties to the water. We invite you to learn more about the Museum and the many ways you can get involved. Visit the VMM Website or click here for a Calendar of Events.

MOSQUITO CREEK MARINA BOAT SHOW
BC Yacht Brokers Association and Squamish Nation are very pleased to announce the dates for the Second Annual Boat Show at the Creek – September 18 to 21, 2008 at Mosquito Creek Marina. For additional information on exhibiting, please contact Kathy Harvey, BCYBA Show Manager at 250-416-0097 or by e-mail: kathyharvey@telus.net.

2010 ACCOMMODATION RENTAL OPPORTUNITY
DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2008 - Support the Disabled Sailing Association
Real revenue-generating opportunities like the one don’t come along every day or even every year. Maybe they come along once in a lifetime – and that’s certainly true for the Disability Foundation!

Here’s a chance for you to make your home available during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics – to highly reliable staff of a reputable organization working at the Olympics – not the general public – and earn a fantastic return! It’s also a chance for you to say you heard about this opportunity through the Disability Foundation and help us build stronger programs for people with physical disabilities.

By clicking on the link below you can apply to have your home considered for accommodation and the chance to earn from $2,100 to over $12,000 per qualified BED (depending on accommodation quality and duration) during the period January 2 to March 25, 2010. At the same time, the Disability Foundation will receive from $200 to $830 per qualified BED from the accommodation representation company.

However, when you visit the website: www.vanlodging.ca, you need to say you heard about this opportunity through us on your online application form on Question # 24 (a), otherwise the representation company will not know of the connection! There is a deadline to apply by no later than Monday, June 30, 2008. The sooner you apply the better your chance of securing an accommodation contract before all the spaces are filled.

You may want to consider taking an extended vacation around the time of the Olympics and Paralympics and have it more than paid for. You may prefer to be in sunnier climates at that time of the year anyway. So why not generate some excellent revenue, while allowing your home to be used by mature and responsible employees of a credible and professional organization? For confidentiality reasons, you will not know the organization name until they have decided they wish to contract your home for accommodation.

After you’ve clicked through to learn more about the exciting potential in this offer, please learn more about the Disability Foundation and our affiliated societies by visiting www.disabilityfoundation.org. We feel fortunate to be selected as the exclusive organization for a charitable benefit from referrals to the representation company that result in an accommodation contract. We feel this relationship can be a “win/win” for both you and our Foundation.

Please feel free to tell your friends, family members and other contacts about this wonderful opportunity and remember to have them say they were referred by the Disability Foundation.

MARINE TRAINING UPDATE
The Marine Workforce Development Committee Bulletin is attached for updates on efforts to address skills shortages in the recreational marine industry of BC. Highlights from this update include announcement of registration for the new Marine Mechanical Technician Apprenticeship Program (with attached application form) and an update on a Career Marketing Strategy.

CLEAN MARINE PROGRAM – WESTPORT MARINA FIRST IN BC TO BE CERTIFIED
BC’s first eco-rated marina certified - MLA presents certificate and flag to new green marina
Sidney, BC –Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology, presented Westport Marina with Clean Marine BC certification and flag at a ceremony in Sidney on June 13, 2008. The presentation marks Westport Marina as the first marina in British Columbia to be eco-rated as a green marina. Georgia Strait Alliance’s new Clean Marine BC Program is a voluntary environmental recognition program for marinas, yacht clubs, harbour authorities and boatyards which encourages best practices and ongoing environmental improvement. To become certified, a facility must commit to the Clean Marine BC Policy and undergo a thorough independent audit. Once through the audit process, a certificate is awarded and the recipient is entitled to fly the Clean Marine BC flag.

“We are, honoured to be the first marina in BC to be eco-rated,” said Westport Marina manager, Ken Gowan.  “The process is well worth the effort and we hope that many more marinas will see the benefits of signing up for this program”.

Modelled on the very successful Clean Marine program from Ontario, Clean Marine BC has been specifically adapted for use in British Columbia. The program comes with a revised Marina Best Practices Handbook, which includes up to date information on federal and provincial regulations, new technologies and salt water issues.

“The Clean Marine BC Program is another example of how Georgia Strait Alliance works to find solutions to environmental challenges,” says Mike Richards, Clean Marine BC Program Coordinator. “By working with communities like marinas and boaters, we’re finding ways to continue enjoying our coastal waters without endangering them.”

Clean Marine BC is part of Georgia Strait Alliance’ award winning Green Boating Program.  This program has been recognized with a Canadian Safe Boating Award (CASBA) for Safeguarding the Environment, among other awards. Funding for Clean Marine BC project came from the Vancouver Foundation, The Real Estate Foundation of BC,  the Victoria Foundation, BC Gaming and Dr. Milton Wong.

Learn more about this exciting and innovative program at http://www.georgiastrait.org/?q=node/425

BOATING PROMOTION UPDATE
Report from Wayne Yamauchi
Discover Boating - The WaterWise Team has been set up to accept ballots for the national DB contest which is a one week houseboat vacation for four on the Trent Severn Waterway.  The next national DB meeting is scheduled for August 19^th in Toronto. 
DB Magazine - We’re now down to our last 8 boxes of this year’s magazine.  Lindsay is working on finalizing details with the publisher for the new 2009 version.  I have asked whether an additional 4 to 8 pages of local content is an option and if so at what cost.
WaterWise Team - Keri Laughlin along with new member, Rachel Hartt has been busy with the WaterWise Wisdom program in schools and has attended the Okanagan Children’s Festival in Penticton.  They will be at the Boat for Hope and the Family Fishing Weekend at Rice Lake during the next couple weekends. 
Boat for Hope - On Saturday, June 14, children who have special needs benefited from the generosity of the Vancouver boating community and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club as over 35 local skippers took to the waters of False Creek during the 10th Annual Variety Boat for Hope, presented by Pharmasave. For the 10th consecutive year, over 350 children who have special needs, and their siblings, dressed in their best pirate gear and set sail around False Creek for a fun-filled day of boating. Over 35 boats and crews battled it out on the high seas as children were treated to a pirate fantasy they will not soon forget. Over 100 volunteers, skippers and sponsors gave their time and energy to put smiles on the children's faces. “This day is about providing children who have special needs a fun-filled day on the water and allowing them to just be a kid,” says Barbie Hislop executive director of Variety - The Children's Charity. “The boating community has been so great and their support speaks volumes about how much this community cares about the children.” After a day on the water, the children were whisked back to Treasure Island (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club) where they enjoyed a BBQ feast, set in a carnival-like atmosphere. As they showed off their costumes and their loot, the children enjoyed a memorable day under the big-top. Face painters, entertainers, clowns and petting zoos were some of the features of the fun-filled land event, as the Variety Boat for Hope helped children just be a kids for a day! The Variety Boat for Hope, presented by Pharmasave, is supported by boaters from across the Lower Mainland as well as several local sponsors including Pharmasave, TD Canada Trust, Buy Low Foods, the Vancouver Firefighters and a host of others. Variety Boat for Hope website. The site also has information about the Victoria event that took place on June 7 and the Kelowna event scheduled for June 21.
Family Fishing Weekend – Forty-three confirmed events took place June 13 – 15^th.  The event, supported by BCMTA, allows residents to go fishing with a complimentary three-day basic freshwater licence. An estimated 25,000 people participated in this year’s events throughout British Columbia.

GOVERNMENT UPDATE
Report from Jane McIvor

Pleasure Craft Licence Tracking
As noted in the previous Members Update, BCMTA now receives regular monthly reports on activity at Services Canada. In May, 2008, BC had 1,883 licence transactions (1,058 new; 50 amendments; 731transfers; 42 duplicates; 2 cancellations) – this is up compared to April (1,467 transactions - 849 new; 46 amendments; 523 transfers; 42 duplicates; 7 cancellations).
PACMAR / NAVAIDS Committee meetings (May 28, 2008)
Port Moody Range Lights – ongoing issue regarding a safety zone between Reed Point Marina and the Range Lights for coast pilots (there is concern that the marina is encroaching into existing navigation channels). Options being reviewed include offsetting the ranges to the north; operating within a smaller channel or offsetting ranges but with dredging.
Presentation from Roger Ferguson regarding funding for debris collection by the Driftbuster – Roger provided an overview of the funding requirements for the continued annual operation of the Driftbuster (estimated between $140,000 to $170,00 depending on number of hours of operation). AXA Insurance has agreed to continue to contribute 50% if additional funding partners are secured. The Driftbuster has not been operating since January – suggestions on potential funding sources included Parks Boards/Municipal governments, corporations such as Telus, Overwaitea.
Canadian Hydrographic Services – is re-producing the Cruising Atlas for the Gulf Islands (3313) and will be available for the 2009 Vancouver Boat Show.
Navigable Waters Protection Act – Phil Nelson with the Council of Marine Carriers reported that he has expressed concern over the lack of consultation regarding proposed changes to the Act. Phil has recommended that the term “minor waters” be removed as well as providing some greater flexibility in terms of addressing additional issues. Phil’s submission will be circulated to the PACMAR Committee for review.
Bill Nash, Director General, Marine Safety, Transport Canada will be retiring in September – no word yet on a replacement.

Other Issues / updates on ongoing issues:
Mandatory PFD Questionnaire – BCMTA has been asked to provide a position on behalf of the recreational boating industry regarding its views on whether PFDs should be made mandatory for “open vessels under six metres and underway”. An questionnaire will be circulated to members over the summer.
ESSO Fuel Stations – Bruce Falkins at Fisherman’s Cove has advised that is currently waiting for an environmental study before requesting to the Municipality for a lease. Bruce was hopeful that service would be resumed within five to six weeks.
BC Marine Conservation Analysis (BCMCA) – BCMTA has agreed to participate in the BCMCA Project. The intent of the project is to assemble / map information on human uses of the marine environment. The project will result in an analysis and two maps (one biological; one physical) that identify areas of environmental concern as well as areas that are important for human use. The products will be made available on-line to assist decision-makers in planning exercises. Timeline: Atlas / map to be produced by February, 2009 with analysis of areas done by the summer of 2009. Also recommended that a presentation be made to the Regional Recreational Boating Advisory Committee as an additional forum for input.
Sewage (Provincial Grey water and Shuswap Lake Process) – Further to last month’s report, I did quite a bit of research on the issue of grey water in other jurisdictions (as well as raise the issue at the National Marine Trades Council meetings) and have since produced an additional position letter that addresses the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP) recommendation of a complete ban on discharge (both black and grey water). The position paper and accompanying research is available upon request. We are continuing discussions with both the Ministry of Environment and the SLIPP Technical Committee to address concerns.
Jericho Marginal Wharf – Peter Robson, Editor, Pacific Yachting and I attended the Vancouver City Park Board meeting on Monday night and both of us spoke to the issue of the lack of moorage on Vancouver’s coast and encouraged the Park Board to delay a decision on the issue of Jericho Wharf until a more detailed study of the entire coastline (including Burrard Civic and Heather Marinas) could be conducted. Staff were recommending to demolish the wharf and return the area to its natural habitat. The Board voted to accept the staff’s recommendation – two commissioners recognized however, that the City has been remiss in addressing the needs of boaters and recommended that a “boating strategy” be undertaken to review the entire stretch of coast from Jericho to Burrard and Heather Marinas. BCMTA has offered assistance with this strategy.
PWC / Senator Spivak’s Bill S-221 – Work is ongoing to address Bill S-221. Sara Anghel (NMMA Canada) gave a presentation to the Senate Standing Committee and all regional marine trades associations, including BCMTA, have submitted letters in support of Sara’s presentation as well as requests for further speaking opportunities.